What energy efficiency ratings mean and why theyre important

The cost to heat and cool your home totals more than half of your utility bills. That’s why it’s crucial to search for a system that offers excellent comfort in your Hickory home while still remaining energy efficient. Greater energy efficiency means your system is operating well while using less energy. Whether you are considering a replacement air conditioner or furnace or thinking to upgrade your present equipment to be more energy efficient, there are some ratings to look out for that will help you during the procedure. So what exactly do those energy efficiency ratings mean?

SEER (used to measure cooling efficiency)
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The SEER rating considers the effectiveness of your unit at different temperatures, meaning, seasonally in Hickory. A larger SEER rating signifies a greater energy efficiency, which will translate into smaller utility bills. The Department of Energy expects a minimum 13 SEER-rating for chillier states in the north and a 14 SEER-rating minimum for warmer, southern states. If your home has an older unit with a lower SEER-rating, you could see drastic energy savings after an modern system.

AFUE or HSPF (used to measure heating efficiency: gas or electric)
AFUE stands for Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratio and it finds the percentage of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed. You can think of it as the MPG on your car. The larger the AFUE-rating, the less your energy costs. If your furnace has a AFUE rating of 80, that signifies that 80% of the heat generated is exhausted to heat the home, while 20% of the heat is wasted through venting.

HSPF stands for the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor and works to measure the heating efficiency of heat pumps. It is the SEER rating for the winter season as it only measures your unit’s heating productivity. Similarly, the larger the number, the more energy efficient the heat pump.

Climate Control Systems in Hickory offers equipment with the greatest energy efficiency ratings. If you are uncertain what the energy ratings are of the equipment in your home we would be glad to help you better understand to keep your home comfortable, while saving money. Give us a call at 828-283-0369 to schedule an appointment with us.

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